Health Watch: Finding relationship refuge with a good night's sleep

Monday

Weekly health rail, with items on improving sleep habits, a new patch that could replace hypodermic needles, how to help depressed stroke patients, and more.

The hectic pace of day-to-day life shows few signs of slowing; however, the peaceful sanctuary couples are seeking may be closer than they think - in their own bedrooms.

For many of today's couples though, the terms "bedroom" and "peaceful sanctuary" are more an oxymoron than a reality. A recent survey from the National Sleep Foundation found 25 percent to 33 percent of couples feel their relationships are negatively impacted by their partner's bad sleep habits.

Tempur-Pedic wellness adviser Dr. Scott Stanley found that a few simple changes to a couple's sleeping habits can ensure their bedroom offers the restful retreat they need. Stanley, a research professor and co-director of the Center for Marital and Family Studies at the University of Denver, studies how to improve relationships, with growing attention to the crucial role of being able to get a good night's sleep.

1. Stanley says couples need to set the mood for a good night's sleep by creating a relaxing, "conflict-free" sleeping environment. By keeping the stress of the day on the other side of the bedroom door, partners will be able to achieve the right frame of mind to sufficiently wind down for a restful night, so be sure to shelf anything that may be upsetting for a more appropriate time and place.

2. Couples must find a way to deal with common sleep distractions, including regular movement from one's partner during sleep. Research has shown sleep movement is more prevalent when sharing a bed, and as such, it is critical to buy a high quality mattress.

3. Different sleeping patterns and schedules can cause couples to imperil what Stanley calls the "Sleep Zone." However, with a little planning, and maybe even some compromise, couples can create a sleep schedule that works for both. Setting a bedtime that works for both parties and establishing a routine allows couples to work around the differences in habits and biology that get them out of sync to begin with.

4. Finally, some couples need to tackle the unpleasant issue of snoring - a prevalent bedroom offense. Have a plan for how to handle the situation when it arises. Agreeing ahead of time that it is OK for one's partner to roll, poke or wake the snorer can avoid an argument and effectively abbreviate what could otherwise become an all-night snoring session or sleep-disrupting argument.

"Couples should keep in mind that if snoring is a chronic occurrence, a serious health issue may be to blame," Stanley says.

-- ARA

In the News: Patch may take sting out of shots

Good news for people fearful of needles and squeamish of shots: Scientists have designed a painless patch that may someday render hypodermic needles — as well as annual flu shots — a thing of the past.

Lined with tiny “microneedles,” these patches could make treatment of diabetes and a wide range of other diseases safer, more effective and less painful. Used as tiny hypodermic needles, they could improve treatment of macular degeneration and other diseases of the eye.

Researchers say applying the patch will be as easy as applying a Band-aid, and people will be better able to self-administer medicine without special training. It also paves the way for easier vaccinations.

-- American Chemical Society

Did You Know?

New research has found that excessive alcohol use can damage the parts of the brain that help people interpret facial cues and emotional expressions. -- Stanford University School of Medicine

Health Tip: Considering acupuncture?

If you're looking for an acupuncturist, the Mayo Clinic recommends you do the same things you would do if you were choosing a doctor:

- Ask people you trust for recommendations.

- Check the practitioner's training and credentials. Most states require that non-physician acupuncturists pass an exam conducted by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

- Interview the practitioner. Ask what's involved in the treatment, how likely it is to help your condition and how much it will cost.

- Find out whether the expense is covered by your insurance.

- Don't be afraid to tell your doctor. He or she may be able to tell you about the success rate of using acupuncture for your condition or recommend an acupuncture practitioner for you to try.

-- www.mayoclinic.com

Number to Know: 5

Percentage of Americans who are at risk for a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction from insect stings, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Children’s Health: Short kids do just as well socially

Parents often express concern about the emotional well-being of children who fall on the lower end of the range of average height. In the past, some studies have indicated that these children may experience more social and peer problems.

A new study tested this theory by interviewing 712 boys and girls of all heights in sixth grade. They asked the children and their teachers to complete surveys featuring questions about interactions with peers.

The authors found that children of short stature were no different from their non-short peers with respect to exclusion, social support, popularity, victimization, depressive symptoms, optimism or behavioral problems. This study can help reassure parents that children of short stature do just as well socially as their taller peers.

-- American Academy of Pediatrics

Senior Health: Helping depressed stroke patients

Psychosocial therapy combined with medication can effectively improve depression and recovery in stroke patients, according to a new study.

In the first long-term study of psychosocial/behavioral therapy in combination with antidepressants, researchers found that adding psychosocial therapy improved depression scores short term and those improvements were sustained long term.

Patients with improved depression perceived their recovery as significantly greater and also felt their physical condition and social participation were better than those with lesser improvement in depression.